Increased levels of anti-PfCSP antibodies in post-pubertal females versus males immunized with PfSPZ Vaccine does not translate into increased protective efficacy

• DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1006716
• Publication Date: 2022-10-25T10:49:00Z
• Authors: Natasha KC; L. W. Preston Church; Pouria Riyahi; Sumana Chakravarty; Robert A. Seder; Judith E. Epstein; Kirsten E. Lyke; Benjamin Mordmüller; Peter G. Kremsner; Mahamadou S. Sissoko; Sara Healy; Patrick E. Duffy; Said A. Jongo; Vicente Urbano Ns...; Salim Abdulla; Maxmillian Mpina; Sodiomon B. Sirima; Matthew B. Laurens; Laura C. Steinhardt; Martina Oneko; MingLin Li; Tooba Murshedkar; Peter F. Billingsley; B. Kim Lee Sim; Thomas L. Richie; Stephen L. Hoffman
• Keywords: Circumsporozoite protein; Vaccine efficacy

While prior research has shown differences in the risk of malaria infection and sickness between males females, little is known about sex vaccine-induced immunity to malaria. Identifying such could elucidate important aspects biology facilitate development improved approaches vaccination.Using a standardized enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, IgG antibodies major surface protein on Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) sporozoites (SPZ), Pf circumsporozoite (PfCSP), were measured before two weeks after administration PfSPZ-based vaccine (PfSPZ Vaccine) 5-month 61-year-olds 11 clinical trials Germany, US five countries Africa, determine if there elicited antibody response females these associated with differential protection against naturally transmitted (Africa) or controlled human (Germany, Africa).Females ≥ years age made significantly higher levels PfCSP than did most trials, while was no indication infants children. Although adult had antibodies, evidence compared males. In 2 7 sufficient data, protected unprotected males, 3 other females.Immunization PfSPZ Vaccine induced post-pubertal but showed equivalent females. We conclude that increased not contribute substantially protection. hypothesize (and PfSPZ) may potentially directly protection, they primarily correlate other, protective immune mechanisms, as dependent independent cellular responses liver.